Mike Tucker
An extract from the late commentator’s new book of memoirs
FIFTY thousand words into the transcript preparing for his biography, Mike Tucker, the great commentator, died. However, author Jane Wallace persevered in completing his memoirs, with the help of family and friends who have shared their own recollections of Mike as Pony Club rider, international groom, family man, top-level competitor, official and commentator.
So with a blend of autobiography, memories and retold experiences of his life in so many equestrian guises, The Man Behind The Mike came to fruition. Here are a few excerpts:
MIKE’S GOLDEN MOMENT
IN every career there is a highlight, a moment that stands out from all others, an occasion that is just that little bit special. After some reflection, Mike decided indubitably that the one that stood out for him was the chance at the Rio Olympic Games of 2016 to commentate on winning the individual showjumping gold medal. For over 30 years, Mike had commentated on Nick [Skelton]’s career on numerous occasions. He had witnessed the highs and lows of Nick’s various rounds on a multitude of different horses.
There had been times of elation and moments of enduring total dejection, but nothing could have been bleaker than the aftermath of Nick’s life-threatening fall in 2000. To return from such an injury and win the most prestigious prize is a feat of monumental proportions. To be a part of one of the greatest achievements in the history of equestrian sport and to enjoy the privilege of announcing the result to the rest of the world has to rank as the pinnacle of Mike’s career… MIKE: “Nick Skelton had won gold! The crowd went mad. In the commentary box, we all went mad. ‘Skelly’, Big Star and Great Britain had won one of the most exciting gold medals we had ever seen in equestrian sport. The emotion all around us was staggering. Several of us, including me, were in tears, with my old voice showing signs of croaking as I announced the result. Nick, understandably, was also shedding a tear of joy. There are pictures of him walking round the collecting ring in disbelief as he came to terms with what he’d achieved. Having ridden at international level myself, albeit not at an Olympics, I can understand what it takes to compete at high level and how the good times are inevitably mingled with those that are disappointing and frustrating.
“There is no doubt that to win an Olympic gold under circumstances such as this is a fairytale come true. We had witnessed a horse and rider, as good as any, who had overcome adversity and, against all odds, won the one title they both so deserved. I have never commentated on such a thrilling competition, nor one that gave me so much satisfaction.
The caipirinhas flowed freely that night in the celebrations. It was certainly a night to remember and treasure, although we all felt a bit the worse for wear the following morning! For me it was the culmination of an Olympic Games that did not carry the highest expectations when it started but produced two of the greatest-ever equestrian Olympians and I was there to witness them. What an honour and privilege to be doing the job you love at the highest possible level.
“The BBC had taken me round the world on some outstanding trips, but this had to be the
occasion when the curtain came down for me on the Olympics. It simply could not get better than that.”
DOWN ON THE FARM
MIKE: “As a small boy, there was little doubt where my heart lay. I was always out and about on the farm watching the cows tied up in the barn, inspecting the calves and watching the milk being brought up to the dairy. I loved the magnificent power of the heavy horses, not as many as there once were because the use of tractors was beginning to make an impact. Horses were used, often set up in tandem with one in front of another, for pulling the big loads of straw and hay into the stone barns, which were unsuited for tractors in those days…”
FIRST SIGHT OF BADMINTON
IN 1949, when Mike was five years old, there was an important introduction of a competition [Badminton] that was to have a big impact on him. At that stage of life, there were still no ponies and actually no interest either...
MIKE: “We had a wonderful view of the royal party watching the thrills and spills, of which there were many. Although I found the rules complicated, I was mightily impressed and really enjoyed the action of some of the riders falling off, remounting and carrying on again!”
INTRODUCTION TO THE HUNTING FIELD
MIKE: “Mum had got all the right gear and she had made sure the tack was absolutely gleaming and jodhpur boots shining because she knew that her father was going to be there proudly watching his grandson. Things didn’t work out too well because the pony was very strong and enthusiastic. I quickly knew I wasn’t in control of the situation. This was my first serious meet and despite my best endeavours to stay behind the field master, suddenly Puck took off and galloped straight through hounds and away. I heard ‘Master’, who was hunting hounds, bellowing at the top of his voice and when I eventually got Puck under control and came back behind the field master, I had a serious dressing down from ‘Master’ himself, and was told that if I ever did anything like that again I’d be sent home and not come out ever again! I came home with my tail very much between my legs and Grandfather was absolutely mortified so there was a big review of the situation regarding what should happen next. The former owners said that we shouldn’t be worried and that, as I grew stronger, I would be able to hold Puck and he really would be a wonderful pony for my confidence in the future. And that, thank goodness, was exactly what happened.”
TASTING OLYMPIC SUCCESS
MIKE: “One memory that will never leave me was holding Cornishman [whom he groomed at the Mexico Olympics] during the medal ceremony. I can remember those goose pimples now and the thoughts ran through my mind that I would love to have some of this for myself one day.
“I came back from Mexico on an absolute high and inspired on several counts. Being a valued member of a gold medal-winning team that worked so well together, and was prepared to go to any lengths to ensure everything was done correctly, was an immense feeling. The tears rolling down my face as I held ‘Corney’ while the National Anthem was played showed how much it all meant to me.
“From that day forward I became a huge fan of the whole amazing experience of an Olympic Games. My ambition from then on was not just to ride at Badminton, but also at the Olympics but, failing that, I was determined to take every opportunity to get there somehow in one capacity or another.”
TRAGEDY STRIKES AT THE EUROPEANS
MIKE: “The dressage went well for Britain and for [Mike’s wife] Angela and me, who both did close to our personal bests. A huge crowd had come to watch the Princess [Anne] in her first championship, with many of them in good voice! There were more spectators on the steeplechase than I’d ever seen before. I set off with [Farmer] Giles feeling fine. I had a really classy ride, hitting all the check times easily until suddenly, as I passed through the finishing flags, he stumbled and kept on stumbling until he went down, never to get up again. He had suffered a heart attack, giving me an easy fall, but I was totally devastated and didn’t know what to do or where to go. Suddenly I was surrounded by people [who] had a job to lead me away because I didn’t want to leave my beloved friend. The rest of the day was an absolute haze. I needed to support Angela and had to pull myself together, so I didn’t in any way give her negative vibes before her ride, which I didn’t find easy. I am ashamed to say I found it difficult to take much interest in the competition on the final day, despite a British clean sweep of all the medals. It was a huge lesson about life in general that one has to face from time to time.”
CLARE BALDING ON THE ULTIMATE COMMENTATOR
“I ENJOYED many happy days working with Mike at Badminton, Burghley,
Olympia, European Championships, World Championships and the Olympics. He was always full of energy, love for his sport and had an indefatigable enthusiasm for telling the story.
“Mike timed his exit from the commentary box perfectly and I am just so sad he didn’t get long to enjoy his retirement. He would have been nothing but supportive to anyone taking over his microphone, as he had been throughout his career. He always came to meetings full of ideas and played a full part in the planning of who should feature in the highlights packages. How he fitted it all in with talking to every single person at every event we attended, I have no idea, but he was an inspiration in terms of working and making friends at the same time.” H&H
The Man Behind The Mike: Mike Tucker The Voice of Equestrianism, by Jane Wallace, £20, published by Quiller